Faculty/Staff Work/Life

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Work/Life Training and Education

Work/Life offers workshops on a variety of issues either by request from departments, or by open enrollment in classes. Topics include, but are not limited to: caregiving for children and teenagers, self-compassion for caregivers, relaxation strategies, and financial literacy. 

Monthly Meditation and Mindfulness for Faculty and Staff

The regular practice of mindfulness meditation has a demonstrable impact on psychological and physical health, improving mood, decreasing stress, strengthening the immune system, and supporting sleep.

Be Well at Work Employee Assistance and Work/Life invite faculty and staff to join us for a monthly meditation group which will offer a moment of relaxation and rejuvenation during the work day. Each month will focus on a beneficial intention to guide us.

No registration required and no prior experience with meditation necessary.

All are welcome.

Starting March 2023

In-Person

Location: First Floor of Sproul Hall, Undergraduate Admissions Presentation Room (Rm 103A)

First Wednesday of the month at 1:15 - 1:45 pm

Online

Third Thursday of the month at 2 pm - 2:20 pm via Zoom

Zoom Link: https://berkeley.zoom.us/j/93496272644

If you would like these sessions added to your bCal for scheduling notifications, please email kpatchell@berkeley.edu

Work/Life Workshops and Events

ENROLLMENT

UC Berkeley and LBNL Faculty, Staff, Visiting Scholars, and Postdocs:

  1. Click on the “enroll here” hyperlink to take you to the UCB Learning Center.
  2. Enter your CalNet Passphrase.
  3. Click "Submit."

Spring 2023 Parenting Workshops

Planning Your Pregnancy Leave

Thursday, February 9th, noon - 1 pm via Zoom

Speakers: Yvette Escobar, UCB Disability Counselor, Kristin Rissanen Ikuta , UCB Academic Personnel, Gabe Schmidt, Healthcare Facilitator, Jurrisha Johnson, Leaves Coordinator

Thinking about starting a family? This workshop will provide information on leave policies, disability benefits, use of income supplements: sick/vacation/pto/pfcb etc. and options on when/how to return to work after having a child for both academic and staff employees.

Register

Empty Nest: Life Beyond Parenting

Tuesday, March 7th, Noon - 1 pm, via Zoom

Speaker: Natalie Caine, MA

Whether your adult children are going off to school or living at home while moving onto the next stage of their life, you may be feeling the joy, grief, and change that arises from this transition. This presentation will discuss this stage of life as not simply time to fill in the gap or stay busy, but focuses on how it may also be a time to grieve and focus on growing who you are.

Register

Breema: The Freshness of Spring Water Comes From Its Flow **New Dates**

4-Week Series - Click on the date to register 
Wednesday, April 26thMay 3rd, 10th, & 17th, 12:10 - 1 pm
In-Person at the Staff Community Garden

Speaker: Angela Porter, MFT

Every moment there is something we can do to increase our energy and vitality. By reestablishing the connection between body and mind we move increasingly in harmony with ourselves, each other and with all of life, naturally experiencing support from rather than being drained by our activity. Join us for this experiential class series where we will learn to slow down and connect using simple Breema self care exercises and principles in moving meditation practice for unifying and balancing the energies of body, mind, and feelings. We hope to see you here. Please come comfortably dressed and prepared for light movement activity. Weekly classes will build on the material from the week before but also stand alone so feel free to drop in and connect!

Breastfeeding Your Baby/Returning to Work

Thursday, April 6th, 1 pm - 4:15 pm via Zoom

Speakers: Tina Benitez / Tomas Handelsman

This 3 hour class is taught by a certified lactation consultant and is broken up into two parts.The first portion of the class, 1-3pm, addresses breastfeeding
basics and problem solving. The second portion of class, 3:15-4:15pm, covers returning-to-work planning and breast pumps. Those who have already
attended a breastfeeding class are welcome to join the last portion of the class.

Register

Transitioning Back After Baby Bonding Leave

Thursday, April 13th, noon - 1 pm via Zoom

Speakers: Karen Patchell, MA., Elliott DiTusa, LPCC., Mary Kelly, MS., Greg Ryan, Be Well at Work

The transition back to work after baby bonding for both birth and non-birth parents can feel overwhelming under regular circumstances. It can be filled with a vast array of emotions, concerns, and limitations, not to mention demanding and conflicting schedules.
Join us for this virtual panel workshop focused on understanding both positive and negative emotions related to this transition, how to establish boundaries at work, benefits and accommodations available to working parents, ergonomic strategies for multiple workstations, and self-care resources to help ease the physical and mental pressure associated with working while caregiving for a young child.

Register

Understanding and Responding to Toddler Tantrums

Thursday, May 4th, noon - 1 pm via Zoom

Speaker: Karen Patchell, MA. Work/Life Program

Whether a child’s behavior during a tantrum is to hit, cry, kick or scream, these emotionally turbulent moments can cause caregivers to feel overwhelm, tension, guilt, sadness, or anger. In order to remain calm and patient supporters for children who are in the midst of a tantrum, we must first understand what is biologically happening. Only then can we focus on responding and assisting children to eliminate the big emotions they are feeling. In this workshop we will: - Learn about the different types of tantrums - Look at what happens in the body when a child is having a tantrum - Discuss why they occur and what can cause them - Identify ways of responding and being present to support your child during a tantrum - And how tantrums can actually connect you with your child more.

Register

Spring 2023 Financial Workshops

Scholarshare College Savings: 529 Plans

Wednesday, March 1st, noon - 1 pm via Zoom

Speaker: James Palen, TIAA Tuition Financing, Inc.

How you save and plan for your loved one’s education goals matters. The way you save and allocate for college savings dictates the investments you have access to, the tax status of your funds for education expenses, and even has an impact on the needs-based financial aid your loved one is eligible to receive. Join us for a college savings workshop to help you better navigate the college savings arena. During this workshop, we will discuss:

  • Paying for college “The basics”
  • The cost of higher education
  • Different ways to save
  • Is ScholarShare 529 the right plan for you and your family
  • Getting started
  • Making the most of existing accounts (resources)
  • The Matching Grant Program and CalKids
     

Register

Preparing for Retirement

Wednesday, March 8th, 11 am - 1 pm via Zoom

Speaker: Scott Sylva, Retirement Administration Services Center (RASC)

For UCRP members who are planning to retire within the next five years and for vested inactive members of UCRP. This live webinar will cover topics such as understanding UCRP pension benefits, retirement savings and retiree health coverage.

Register

The UC Retirement Process — Step by Step

Wednesday, March 15th, 11 am - 1 pm via Zoom

Speaker: Scott Sylva, Retirement Administration Services Center (RASC)

For UCRP members who are planning to retire within the next 4-12 months. This live webinar will explain everything you need to know about the retirement process, including required forms, important deadlines and helpful resources.

Register

Create a Budget and Ditch Your Debt

Thursday, April 20th, Noon - 1 pm via Zoom

Speaker: Laura Crymble, Fidelity

This class offers manageable strategies and tools that can help you get a handle on spending and borrowing. It also covers how to develop a smart budget and ways to manage debt.

Register

Elder Care Training and Education

The Elder Care program offers monthly educational workshops and webinars on topics related to elder care and caregiver resilience. The workshops are presented by professionals and experienced caregivers. These workshops are open to current UC Berkeley and LBL employees and generally take place on a weekday from 12:10-1:30pm.